The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-05
CARDINAL MANNING AT HOME.
HIS Views Concerning This Country
and Ireland.


We sat in his library, large room, with
shelving running around two sides, filled
win rare and antique volumes. The fur
hiture oil the room is Of the plainest char
acter, and the floors are bare except for
TWO small and worn out rugs, which APP
pear Just like patch in the center. A
more nninviting room and apartments can
scarcely be fancied, but it was all forgotten
III III the charm OF the presence OF the owner.
mere Is peculiar attraction In the culture
ana manners OF many of the Catholic
priesthood, which is not less apprecat-
ed and admired by Protestants than
by Catholics. i do not know when have
spent an hour more full of interest, in
struction and intellectual enjoyment than
that with this dear, lovely old man. lie il
WITHIN a month or two OF four score; but
while his figure is very spare, his face wan,
ana the wrinkles on it deep, indeed, the
glorious soul and mind which God gave
HIM beam with an unspeakable luster. He
looked me straight and steadily in the eyes
as he talked in earnest, gentle tones, and
II was long after left before the brighter
and purer atmosphere which he ditlused
laded. Naturally our talk ran upon
English, Irish and American politics, and
to some extent upon church matters.
The cardinal eyinced accurate knowl-
edge OF American atlnirs. He admires our
form Of government, but thinks its admin
lstiation could be improved il we had
fewer elections and longer terms Of office.
lie takes much interest in the proposition
Tor the assembling OF Catholic congress OF
English speaking people, and said he had
just received letter IRON Bishop Ireland
in regard TO the matter. ] asked the car
dinal about the progress OF Catholicism in
in England. He said it was most crafty
ing; that IL was not so much in compare
tive point OF numbers rs in material
progress and influence. The church now
stood on happy basis in England, and
was given as much consideration hy gov
eminent and people Us any other dcnomi-
nation. The Church Of England did not
exercise or attempt to exercise any direct
influence on legislation or politics, but OF
course its patronage controlled votes. He
showed me from his window splendid
site, covering four acres, which he secured
some time since for the erection Of a grand
cathedral in London. He said he should
not, mt his advanced time Of life. attempt TO
begin the work OF building this
capsedral that he must leave il
iU his successor. In speaking Of
English politics he said that il was prob
able that no people were better satisfied
with tho structure OF their government
and its institutions than those OF Great
| Britain. In no government in the world
was there such degree Of absolute per.
sonal liberty ms in Great Britain. One
never knew there was any law until he
ran against IT, Scotland and England
| were completely fused in identity OF inter
! est. II WAS different with Ireland, be-
| cause OF the different treatment. That I'M
| happy island had been ruled by England
/ Tor more than three centuries by force
alone. II WIS under Henry VIII. TINT
the policy WIS inaugulated which had
made and kept Ireland dissatisfied. Had
it not been for this Ireland would have
been rs devoted and loyal TO the English
crown as Scotland. lie WIS an English
man 10 the backbone, but he knew and
loved the Irish people! A more true, a
more loyal, and n more noble race never
existed. They could bc ruled with an
upiiicd thumb when kindly and Justly
dealt with, but they never would bow 10
| force and wrong. lie had often been
asked about boycotters and moonshincrs,
and so ON. He believed that injustice
always developed the worst passions Of
men, and boycOtters and moonshinep were
yhe ppduet Of injustice. Proper and just
hnd Awe he considered 10 bo thc essential
element for the trlnquilizing Of Ireland.
and one feature must he the requirement
OF absentee landlords to return or part
with their estates. There were several big
corporations in London which owned vast
tracts OF land In Ireland. This was mani
| testify wrong. and one Of the first things 10
/ be rcmcdicd WIS that these lands should
| 50 into the possession Of those whose labor
gave them all the value they possess. The
cardinal said he had never been much en-.
ainored with the name Of Irish Parlia-
mcnt." In his view the Legislative body
90 be created for Ireland should not
be one with tire prerogatiye Of n Par
| lament ~ commonly understood,
hut chamber which should have
| the control OF legislation affecting local
matters only. said To him | had found
no sentiment worth speaking OF in London
/ IN favor OF home rule, and inquired what
he thought about the prospects. lie ~.
piled that London was intensely aristo.
cratic, intensely welded 20 custom. and
| therefore opposed 10 change. But Il WIS
not ~ in the provinces The feeling in
I favor u home rule was growing rapidly
/ every day in the country, aud lac had the
strongest belief IL would eventually be-
strong enough 90 control both houses Of
Parliament and force justice 10 be done tO
the Irish lie could not venture 10 pre-.
dict when this day would come, but he
hoped 10 acc II.